Pulling-over machine



March 24, 1931'. v W.T. B. RoBEFiTs 1,797,298

PULLING-OVER MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet l March 24, 1931. w, ROBERTS 1,797,298

FUELING-OVER MACHINE Filed Dec. 28, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIIIIIIIII Patented'lvlar. 24, 1931 wiLLIA a THOMAS lBUCKINGHAM ROBERTS; or LEICESTER, ENGLAND, essienon To Price 1 A UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, or" PATTERSON, NEW- JEnsEY, A oonro- RATION on NEW JERSEY reruns-oven MAoHiNE Application filed December 28, 1928,'Seria1 No. 329,011, andinGrcat Britain anuar 5192s..

This invention relates to machines for pullinguppers over lasts, andha's more particu ,lar relation to the operation and control in such machines of means for gripping and pulling the upper. In one important aspect, it isan object ofthe invention llO'PlOVlClGlID- provements ina machine ofth'e general type applicability.

- I An important feature of the nvention redisclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,656,365, granted on January 17, 1928, upon an applic'ation of Robert H. Silvester and Arthur Bates, comprising in its-organization a plurality of grippers ttor ulling an upper respectively in different locations atthe same sideor" the last and means for'operatin-g the different grippers independently of each other in respect to the forces a plied in pull ing the upper, or Withcontrollably differentpulling forces, and the: invention isaccordingly herein illustrated in its apphcat-ion to a machine of that type. It is to beundenstood, however, that in its more general aspects the invention is not thus limited in its sides in a novel organization including means for limiting the independence of operation of different independently operated grippers, or relative movement between different grippers-in the direction'of their pull on the upper, in the upper-pulling operati'on. In its application to an organization such' as disclosed in the above-mentioned Letters Patent, theinvention, in one of its aspects, thus provides means whereby adj a cent side grippers, operated lndependently of each other in respect to the forcesapplied in pulling 'theupper, maybe'so controlled as to lose that independence prior to thecompletion of the upper-pulling operation. For the purpose in *vieW the construction herein shown comprises means for limiting such relative movement'between the grippers in the direction of their pull on theupper as may occur,for example, in response to differences inresi'stanceof different portionsof'theupper to-the'force of the pull, and thereby re'n dering the grippers operative conjointlyin stead of independently in the latter portion ofithe uppenpulling opera tiom In theor ganizati'on"illustrated the different adjacent sire d,'b e entirely eliminated; There is thus provided an organization whereby the forces applied to different portions ofthe ,upper by difl'erent grippers, for exampleto', the portion of the upper in the vicinityot the tip line and the portion at there'ar thereof, may be most effectively controlled in accordance 'Withthe requirements of a particular line of shoes, andvvvhereby the advantages of independent control of the forces applied in pull! ing different porti'ons' of the upper are r availed of Without'danger of too: severe a strain on one portion of the upper as comr pared with the strain applied "to another portion. r

In accordance with another feature ofthe invention there is provided a novel constructlon and arrangement of s de grippers fer pullingan upper at the same-side ofa last, such that While the grippers are operative independently of eachotherto pull the upper heightwise of the last and are relativelv movable in the direction of their pull on. the up.- per, they are prevented from moving relatively to each other. indirections transverse to the direction of the pull. r soherein illus trated the adjacent grippers are provided with a t0ngue-and groove connection between themv wh ch permits theirrelative movements heightWise of the last While preventing them from inoving relatively to each other in other d1rec-t1ons, so that m such movement of the,

adjacent grippers as may be effected, for eX- ample, lengthwise of the last for "tipmoved as a'iinit,

straightening purposes, they. are necessarily The invention further provides novel means forefl'ecting relative movement of opposite side grippers manually in a direction heightwise of the last, for example to adjust the upper laterally of the last or to alter the force of the pull on the upper, the construcuse on a. wide range of sizes.

The above and other features of the invention, including also novel means for controlling adjacent side grippers in their return to starting position, will now be more particularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings and thereafter pointed out in the claims. I

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of side gripper mechanism in which novel features of the invention are embodied, with parts shown two grippers; and

insection; l

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation, partly 1n section on the line IIII-of Fig. 1, with parts broken Figs. 3 and 4 are views showing respectively, in separated relation, the different adjacent side'grippers at one side of the ma 7 chine, illustrating particularly the character of the means provided for connecting the Fig. is a sectional view of a portion of the gripper shown in Fig. 4, illustrating more clearly means whereby the gripper may be rendered inoperative.

The upper-pulling mechanism herein.

shown as an illustrative embodiment of the invention is, in its general organization. in many respects similar to that shown in Flgs. 1, 2 and 3 of the Letters Patent hereinbefore mentioned, but the parts are arranged in the manner required for their embodiment in a pulling-over machine of theso-called inverted type in which the last is positioned bottom downward, as disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,510,851, granted on October 7, 1924, upon an application of Arthur E. Jerram and Joseph, Gouldbourn. It is contemplated that the machine will include, as heretofore, in addition to two side grippers for pulling the upper at each side of the last, a toe gripper for pulling the upper at the toe end of the last, although the side grippers only are herein illustrated. It will be understood that the side gripper mechanism for pulling the upper at each side of the last is similar to that at the other side, so that a detailed description of that at one side only will be suflicient for an understanding of the construction.

By reference to Figs. 1, 3 and 4, showing the two side grippers for pulling the upper at one side of the last, it will be seen that one of these grippers 10 is arranged to pull the upper substantially in the location of the tip line and that the other gripper 12 is arranged to apply its pull to the upper in a location farther rearwardly on the vamp. The gripper 10 comprises a gripper casing 14 which carries a pair of upper gripping aws one of which is shown at 16 and has slidingly mounted therein a bar 18 connected by a balland-socket joint 19 to an updraw lever 20 (Fig. 2), the term updraw being used herein in the sense in which it has been commonly use dv heretofore with reference to the so-called upright pulling-over machine, although it will be understood that in a machine of the inverted type such as herein shown the socalled updraw movement is in reality a movement in a downward and rearward direction. Similarly the gripper 12 comprises a casing 22 carrying gripper jaws 24 and 25 (Fig. 5) and provided with a bar 26 connected by a ball-and-socket joint 27 to an updraw lever 28 (Fig. 2) at one side of and adjacent to the updraw lever 20. It will be understood that each of these grippers is operated and controlled, in respect tothe closing of its jaws, in the same general manner as common heretofore in machines of the general type illustrated, as more fully hereinafter described. At the opposite side of the machine there are provided similar side grippers, of which the bars 30 and 32 are seen in Fig. 2, these bars being connected respectively to adjacent updraw levers 34 and 36.

7 It will be understood with referenceto Fig. 1 that all the four side gripper updraw levers are substantially in alignment laterally of the machine and are pivotally mounted upon the same transversely extending shaft 38 on the frame ofthe machine. All the four levers are operated by a cam 40 through a slide 42,

a yoke 44 carried by the slide and shown insection in Fig. 1, and individually adjustable springs 46, herein shown as coil springs, one for eachof the updraw levers, in the same general manner as disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,6563365 hereinbefore mentioned except that in the machine herein shown all the levers and their connected side grippers are operated substantially simultaneously to pull the upper. Only one of the springs 46 is shown, this being the spring for operating the leyer 28, but it will be understood that there is a spring similarly controlled by the yoke 44 for operating each of the four side updraw levers. Associated with each of the springs is a member 48 which is threaded in theyoke 44 and is adjustable to vary inde- ,theseveral grippers are operated independ pendently the tension of the spring for controlling the force applied to the leverin pulling; the upper. It will thusbe evident that ently'ot one another'in respect to the 1 forces 'applied'in pulling the upper and thatin the upper-puiling operation they may moverel- ,atively to one another in response to differ? ences in'resistance of different portions of theuppertothe force of'the pull. Itwill alsobe understood that'through the separately adjustable springs 46 the diiierent grippers may be operated with controllably differe t pulling forces. I

The construction shown is so designed that all the four side gripper updraw leversmay beconne'cted to a retarding device through compensating or? equalizing mechanism inthe same general manner as, described in Letters Patent No. l,656,365. A rock -shaft 50, whieh corresponds to the rock-shaft .120 of the above-mentioned Letters P t and is nected'to a dash-potlnot shown) in a well known manner, carries a housing 52in which there is mounted for sliding and for rocking movement abar 54 having onits upper end a boss '56. Fixed in one side of the boss 56 is a pin5 8 (Fig. 2) connected bya ball-andsoc'ket joint to one: endofa link 62 the other endiof whichis similarly connected to chihe. These equalizing connections provide meanswhereby the dash-pot is effective upon all the four side updrawlevers to retard the n' ovements of the several levers in pulling the upper, while. permittingrelative movements between the two leversat each side of the machine, as well as between the two pairsof levers at the opposite sides of the machine, in the idirection of the pull. on the upper, so that severalfle'vers may operate inde-' pendently ofone another in respectto the forces appliedto the upper, as hereinbefore described. V I

For :one of the purposesofthis invention, there is provided means for limiting relative movement of the side grippers at the same side of thelastin the direction of their pull "on the upper, as may-be desirable in order to I avoid undue strain on any [301131011 of the upper.- The updraw lever 20 is accordingly provided, close to the cam-operated slide v the lever 28 is providednearthelug Y2'with a- 42, with a small upstanding projection 70 (Ty havinga laterally projecting lug .72 that overlies the rear' enol portion of the adjacent updraw: lever; 28, but is; spacedsomewhat. there fro1n,':as indicated in Fig. 1,.when the machine. is in, its startlng position. S milarly lug 74 which overlies the lever 20 and is spaced from that lever "when the 'machine is lnstarting posltion. "Byreas'on of this construction, although the iupdraw levers 2 ()and are'gseparate and are separately operated through their "respective springs 46 ofindi- "idu'ally"adjustable strengthp'so as to be capable o f'relative movement'in the upperpiillin'g pp'eration and {ofapplying controllably difi'erent forces in pulling the upper,

yet such "capacity-for relative movement and such independence of operation are lll'flltQCl Under certain conditions it'may he desir able that the extentiof permissible relative operate adjacent side grippers shall beadju stable ,and in the construction shown there is accordingly provided in the lug 72 a stop screw 76, and in the l-ug74l a siniilarjs'top screw 78. Itwill be seen that the end of each of these stop screws is'i'nposition to con tact with the adjacent updraw leverafter movement between the up'draw levers which 5 predetermined amount of movement of the r lever which carries it relatively to the other lever in the, direction of the p ull, so that these screws provide' means for varying as desired the amount of permissible relative movement between the adjacent grippers 10 and 12 inpullingthe upper. Preferably the arrangement is such that the stop screws'may be adjusted to 'positionsf'in which they permitrelative movejment 'oi the levers through out the upper-pulling operation, that is, without anyfliniit to the extent ofs'uch rela;

tive movement-withinthe normal operation of the grippers, while byja'no'ther"adjustk ment of the stop screws the two adjacent leversnoay be're'nolered incapable of any relative movement, althoughthe pair of levers at each side will stillbe movable relatively to i the pair'at the other side in'the upper-pulling operation. 7 Between thesetwo limits the screws maybe adjusted to. provide-for any desired amount of relative movement be-j tween theadjacent levers. It willibeiuiderstood that the updraw levers'34 and-36 at theother side of the machinewill be provided with adjustablelimiting. means such asthat; described with; referenceto the levers 20f and 28, as indicated ,inFig. 2. a

It will be evident that when movementor" one of the gripper levers relatively. to the I adjacent lever is stopped'in the manner dc-e scribed priorto the-completion of the upper pulling operation, the force applied tofthe' first'lever' through its operating spring 46 becomes effective also, in a measure, upon the adjacent lever, in addition to force of the spring that{o era ithe latter, 'during'the =1 remainder :of the upperepjulling" 'operat1oni Not only, therefore, is there provided means; for limiting relative noveme'nt of different 7 Y grippers, but also meansv forincreasi-ngftheforce of the puller-that grip er-which encounters the greater resistance or which tends to move with the slower speed.

lNhile the lugs 72 and 74 are herein shown as located at the rear ends of the gripper to be understood that while each of the adj acent side gripper levers is herein shown as provided with limiting means, the invention is not restricted toa construction including means for limiting relative movements of the adjacent grippers in opposite directions, 'since under any given conditions of adjust- .mentand use only one of the adjacent levers will tend to move farther than the other in pulling the upper.

The machine is further provided with means whereby the operator may, if he so desires, move the adjacent side grippers at either side of the shoe simultaneously in the direction of the pull or in the opposite direction by the use of a single controlling member or handle, notwithstanding the fact that the grippers are capable of moving relatively to each other as hereinbefore described. For this purpose the boss 56 is extended upwardly and is provided with a web 80 (Fig. 1)., and fast in a transverse slot in this web is a bar 82 extending across the machine from side to side. Secured to'each of the opposite ends of the bar 82 is a forwardly extending operating member or handle 84, these members extending at opposite sides of the ma chine into positions convenient for manipulation by the operator from his working position in front of the machine. The members 84 are adapted to be utilized during the customary pause which occurs in the cycle of operations of the machine after the grippers have pulled the upper and while they are holding it under tension, for the purpose of moving the two side grippers at one or both sides either in the direction of their pull on the upper or in the opposite direction to increase or relax the force of the pull or to shift the forepa-rt of the upper laterally of the last. If, for example, the throat of the vamp is observed not to be properly positioned laterally of the last, the operator seizes one of the members 84, for example the one at the left? hand side of the machine, and pulls it toward him. This pull serves to rock the boss 56.

about the axis of its bar 54 and thus to move the left-hand side gripper levers 20 and 28' in such a direction as to relax the tension on V the upper at the left-hand side of the machine, with the result that the springs of the I updraw levers at the opposite side move the right-hand member 84 is pulled, the upper is shifted in the opposite direction.

It has been found that pushing upon one member 84 will not normally give the same result as pulling upon the other member, although the two members are rigidly connected to the same transverse bar 82. If,

for example, the operator pushes upon the right-hand member he increases the force of the pull of the grippers on that side of the upper. By reason, however, of the binding of the upper on the last under the pull of the grippers at the other side, the upper normally will not shift but will be stretched on the right-hand side, the boss 56 rocking upon the left-hand ball-and-socket joint 60 as a pivot, and the bar 54 being swung rearwardly by the rocking of the housing 52 about the axis of its rock shaft 50. Thus it is possible to use either member 84 not only for throatstraightening purposes but also to give the upper an extra pull, both grippers on one side being, of course, operated jointly or simultaneously by the member 84.

The machine is further provided with a construction andarrangement of adjacent side grippers such that while these'grippers are relatively movable in the direction of their pull on the upper or heightwise of the last during their independent operation as hereinbefore described, they are prevented from moving relatively to each other in directions transverse to the direction of the pull and are thus constrained to move as a unit. for example in pulling the upper inwardly over-the bottom of the last or in moving lengthwise of the last to straightenthe tip. For this purpose the gripper casings 14 and 22, from which emerge the bars 18, and 26 that are connected to the adjacent updraw levers as hereinbefore described, are locked together by such'means as to prevent them from moving relatively to each other in direction transverse to the direction of the pull while permitting such relative movement in the direction of the pull or in the opposite direction in the return of the grippers to starting position. This locking means comprises a T-shaped tongue 86 (Fig. 32 on the casing 14 and a corresponding slot 88 Fig. 4) extending lengthwise of thecasing 22 and arranged to receive the tongue 86. The rear side gripper casing 22 is provided at 90 with a guideway extending lengthwise of the casing by which this casing, and consequently both the adjacent side grippers, may be connected to tip straightening means as common heretofore in pulling-over machines of the general type illustrated. v

The two gripper casings 14 and 22 com nected as above described extend through the usual form of single orifice 92 in the head 93 of the machine, the tapered walls of this orifice acting as wedging means upon beveled faces 94 and 96 of the connected side gripper m me , to movement lengthwise of the last in response to their return movement height-wise oft-he last before the machine stops at -the ti on "shown, means whereby the rearmost side I end of the cycle. In order to prevent the relative movement such as hereinbeforedescribed between the casings 14 and v22in directions heightwise of the last from intervided respectively on the casings 14 and 22' I for engagement withthe head 93 when each of the casings reaches its normal starting position. Accordingly, if one ofthe gripper casings a-rrrves'rn its normal position beto-re 1 l the other casmg,1tslug wlll engage the head and stop it from moving beyond that position, and therefore from being displaced too fanlaterally by the action of the tapered.

wall of the orifice 92 before the other casing arrives in its normal position; 7

It will be understood that otherwise than as above described the two adjacent side gripper-casings willbeguided and controlled insubsta-ntially the same manner as the singleygripper casing of'the twin side gripper oft-he well known Rex type of pulling-over machine or its later inverted tormthe general 7 character of which is disclosed'inv the Letters Patent-No; 1,510,851. Thus control of adjacent side .grippersof such machines in the manner required by the present invention may be provided for with substantially no alterations other than such "as -hereinbeforeset forth. V I There is'further provided, in the construcgripper at each side of the machine, i. e.,the side gripper. thatoperates farthest from the end ofthe toe, may, if desired, be rendered in; inoperative, so that the machine may be used to pull the upper by means of asingle' gripper,

at, each side in) addition to the usual toe gripper, thus adapting the machine to operate, for example, upon. very small shoes,

in-.-accordance with the general object disclosed in Letters Patent No. 1,543,804,1grant ad on June 80, 1925, up'onan'application of A. E. Stone. applied to a machine having the characteristics hereinbet'ore described, it

is desirable that means 'for' 'thus renderin therear sidegrippers inoperative be located on the outer sides of the gripper casings, i. e, the sides that face outwardly from the vcenter of'the machine, to render such means -conveniently accessible, and accordingly there is provided mechanism of this character which involves also infother respects novel iteatures of constr'uct1on; For an understanding of this C011St111Gt1OI1,1t maybe explainedthat the jaw 25.(Fi'g. 5) is fast on the gripper casing22 and that the jaw '24 is pivoted' at'102 on the casing for swinging movement toward and from theJfiXed' jaws Further in accordance with the usual construfctionot grippers such as commonly-used heretofore, therej isvp-rovided a jaw-closing slide 104 having thereon a roll-106 forena ingan eztiension108of the jaw 24 to' close the jiawyand alatch110pivoted at'1l2on is normallypressed by a' spring plunger'll ti into position. to connectit with (the-crossbar tov 114, as illustratedi-nFig. 5. There is also provided a I tripping fmember 118 pivoted at 120011 the closing slide 104 and movable ,to disconnect the latch 110 from the closing slide and cause the opening of the :jawsa't a predetermined'time in the cycle. These vari 7 oils parts are all constructed and operate substantially as -l1e retofore. i Inorder to render the rear gripper inoperative, there is provided in the construction hereinshown means on the outer side of the gripper easing for holding-the tripping member 118 in its inner position after it has been moved manually to that position, so as to render the: latch 110 'inetfective to connect the bar 26 to the clo'sing slide 104 when the bar is operated by its updraw lever. .For this purpose there is fast on thejmember 118 a laterally projecting lug 122,,and apiwoted at 124, on the outer side otthe casing22 is a catch 126 which is movable fromaposition in which it is-clear of the lug 122 to a position in which a portion of it overlies the lug, the member 118 having first been moved toitsinner position. This catch has" a longitudinal recess-128 to receive the lug 122,.this recess beingof suchylengthvas to permita certain amount of movement of the lug with l the closing slide 104 lengthwise 'ofthe-gripper casing22 while the la tch llOris inoperative, the purpose of this arrangementbeing here; inafter described. l

.Thecatch 126 has an arm 130 (Fig.4);pro-

ids

videdwitha smallrounded knobl32 which is f adapted to enter one orthe other or two holes 134in a spring 136 fiXed on the gripper casing 22 in order tohold the catch in either its operative or its inoperative position. If the catch is in its inoperative position, as illustrated in the drawings,the gripper operates normally. If it-is'inits operative position it I overlies the-lng1122 and thereby holds the tripping inember118in its inner position so as to prevent the latch 110- from functioning,

the resultbeing that upon'the starting of the machine the'jaw-closing slide 104-is not operated by the gripper bar 26 and consequently the movable aw 24 is not closed to grip the upper.- "Itwillbe understood that as the bar 26 is thus'movedjidly,the latch is moved with":it,';but-is then 1 maintained in inoperative position; by engagement with the left-hand side or tlie cross bar 1:14 (Figf55). Of the suits, for example from undue strain on the grippers, if this should occur. That is, there is provision for partial closing of the 12W in response to such engagement of the wiping and tacking means therewith, without causing the aw to grip the upper. It will be noted that, in response to pressure apphed against the jaw 24 in the manner referred to, itseX- tension 1.08 by engagement with the hub of the tripping member 118 will cause the clos ing slide 104 to move to a certain extent lengthwise of the gripper casing, this arrangement permittingmovement of the jaw far enough to avoid objectionable consequences from its interference with the side iping and tacking means but not far enough to grip the upper. Sincethe member 118 is carried by the closing slide, the recess 128 in the catch 126 is elongated as hereinbefore described to permit the necessary movement of the lug 122 in response to such movement of the slide. i

Sincejthe connections of the side gripper bars 18 and 26 to their respective updraw levers 20 and 28 are at different distances from the common ivot 38 of these levers the extent of movement ofthe rear ends of the updraw levers. This would normally result in the closing of the different grippers at slightly different times. To a eid thisthe extensions 108 of the movable jaws which are engaged by the rolls 106 on the closing slides may be differently shaped to cause the different grippers to close substantially simultaneously. r

The manner of operation of the machine has been fully explained in connection With the description of the various features of construction, and accordingly requires no further explanation. V r

Having described the invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is I 1. In a machine of the class described, a pl rality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively in differentlocations at the same side of the last, means for. operating said grippers independentlyof each other in respect to the forces applied in pulling the upper, and means for limiting over a last respectively in different locations at the same side of the last, and means for operating said grippers independently of each other in respect to the forces applied in pulling the upper, or without such independence, in accordance with the positional relation between said grippers resulting from differences in resistance of different portions of the upper to the force of the pull.

3. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively indifferent locations at the same side of the last, and automatic power-operated means for operating said grippers at one time in the upper-pulling operation independently of each other in respect to the forces applied in pulling the upper and at another time in that operation without such independence.

4. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively in different locations at the same side of the last, means for operating each of said grippers with a force determined independently of the force applied to the other, and means to render the force applied to one gripper effective also on the other before the completion of the upperpulling operation.

5. Ina machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively in different locations atthe same side of the last, means for operating each of said grippers with a force determined independently of the force applied to the other, and means dependent for its operation upon relative movement between said grippers in the direction of their pull on the upper to render the force applied to one grippereifective also on the other.

6. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively in different locations between the grippers in response to differences in resistance of different portions of the upper to the force of the pull.

'7. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively in different locations at the same side of the last, means for operating said grippers independently of each other in respect to the forces applied in pulling the upper, and adjustable means for foroperating the different respective grippers with provision for relativeflmovement between said grippers in the direction of the pull in response'to differences in resistance of different'portions of the upper to the force of the pull, and'automatic means for limiting such relative movement and for rendering the force applied to one gripper effective also on the other prior to the completion of the upper-pulling operation.

20. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last, means for operating said grippers to pullthe upper with provisionfor relative movement between them in the direction of the pull in response to differences in resistance of different portions ofthe upper to the force of the pull. and means adjustable to prevent such relative movement.

21. In a machine of the class described, a

plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively in different locations atthe sa-meside of the last, means for operatingsaid grippers to pull the upper with provision for relative movement between them in the direction of their pull in response to differences'in resistance of difierent portions of the upper to the force of the pull while they are both pulling the upper, and means for limiting said relative movement.

22. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively in different locations at the same side of the last, means for operating said grippers to pull the upper with provision for movement. of either gripper relatively to the other in the direction of the pull while they are both pulling the upper, and'means for limiting such movement of either gripper relatively to the other in pull ing the upper.

23. In a machine of the class described,-a

plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively in different locations at thesame side of the last, means for operating said grippers to pull the upper with provision for relative movement between them in the direction of their pull in accordance with differences in resistance of difierent port-ions of the upper to the force of the pull while they are both pulling the upper, and adjustable means for variably limiting said relative movement.

24. In a machine of theclass described, a

' plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively in diflerent locations at the same side of the last, means for operating said grippers independently of each other in respect to the forces applied in pulling the upper while permitting them to move relatively to each other in response to differences in resistance of different portions of the upper to the force of the pull, and means for limiting such relative movement of the grippers. i

In a machine of the class described, a

plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a lastrespectively in different locations at the same side'of the last,means comprising separate levers for operating the different'respect-ive grippers to'pull the upper with provision for relative movement between the different levers in the upper-pulling operation, and'means for limiting such relative movement of the levers.

26. In a machine of the class described, a

plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively in different locations at the same side of the last, means comprising separate levers foroperating the difierent respective grippers to pull the upper with provision for relative movement between the different levers in the upper-pulling operation, and means for rendering one of said levers effective to limit movement of the other lever relatively thereto in pulling the upper.

27. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively indifferent locations at the same side of the last, means comprising separate levers for operating the different respective grippers to pullthe upper with provision for relative movement between the different levers in the upper-pulling opera tion, and means for rendering each of said levers effective to limit movement of the other lever relatively thereto in pulling'the upper.

28. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last-respectively in different locations at the same side'of the last, means comprising separate levers for operating the differ-i ent respective grippers to pull the upper with provision for relative movement between the different levers in the upper-pullingeoperation, and adjustable means for variably limiting such relative movement'of the levers.

29. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively in different locations at the same side of the last, means comprising separate levers for operating the different respective grippers to pull the upper with able stop thereon arranged to cooperate with i the other leverto limit variably the relative movement of the levers.

In "a Qfthe class described a v plurality of grippersfor 'pulling an upper, over a last respectively in different locations upper-pulling operationand as a unit at another time in said operation.

H a ,machine of the class describedfa plurality of grippers for p'ulling an upper over a last respectively indifferent locations at the same side of the last,'separate levers for operatingthe different respective grippers,

and adjustable means for operating said .1e-- 'vers either independently or-as a unit in pulling' the upper. I 1

33'. rm machine er the class d'escribed, a

plurality of grippers for pulling an-upper I over a last respectivelydin different locations at thesame side of the last, means for operating said grippers independently o'feach other to pull theupper comprising a separate lever Y and operating; means therefor connectedfto veach grippenandmeans. for rendering one of plurality of g rippers for pulling an upper I w e astimeanslbo n isir g S pa at eve s said levers elfective to apply operating force to the I other lever prior to, the completion of the upper-pulling operation. I s

34'. Its machine ojt'jthecclass described, a

. *aoi plur y of p er i i is. an pp over a last respectively in diflferent locations at the'salne side of thelast, means for operating grippers independently of each other to pullflt'heupper comprisinga separate lever and operatingmeans therefor. connected toeac'hfl gripper, and means dependent forlts operation upon relative movement between a said levers in the pulling of the upperto icause one lever to-applyoperating force to the'other lever.

315; maichine oftheclassdescribed,,a

"plurality of grippers for pulling an upper "overga last respectively in difierentiocations at the same side oi the last; separate levers for operating the different respective grippers I with provision for relative movement-betweensaidlevers in responseto di'fl erences'in resistance of: different portions of the upper 'totlie force of. the pull, separate springsfor V forces to the different levers, and means for applying controllably, difierent operating imiting the r elati've movement between said fleve-rs'in the pnllingvof the upper.

3671-11 a machine Of heMQlass described a plurality."ofigrippers for pulling an upper over a-lalst respectively in different locations atthe same side ofthelastaseparate levers for O e a ng t e; dif r pect ve ,vs rip with provision for relative movement between said levers in response to dijferences r sis ance of di f en po t ons of h upp were orc E-ithe. n 1, s par pring r apply n s ntrb ab y' d fi n op t n fo ces t th d f e entp er's a d adj sta le means *for variably limiting the movement of over'a last, means; comprising separate levers for operating the different respectivegrippers to pull theupper lwith provision -tor;-rela-- tive movement between the different levers n theupper-pull njgf operatlon, and'auto- ;mat1c means for limiting such relative niolve tof he eve s-y 38.1:1 a hineoifythe' class described, a r ral y rippe or'r i gan upp over a last, means ccinprising separate levers for operating thegdifierentlrespective -;gri'p' li 0' Pu l t e pper- W bh prov si n f r ela ve m v t-b t n th diflfer ntleversiin of the upper vtofthe fierce of the pull pand means 'tQ' render one; ofthe levers efiective el t e y er to While i 1 t l ers co tinue their; upper-pulling movement 3 n l a n o the Cla es rihedl' a for" operating the? difi'erent flrespective grip- .i e'r to pul the HPPQ TW th p' v l en l tive moveme n t between the different levers the upperpulling; zop eration{inresponse to o d fier'ences in res stance of d flterentportionsq.

as asto'p tolimit movementjot the other'lever in the upperapulling operation in responseto difi erences in resistance ofdifi'erent portions of thetupperto the force {oi thepu'll, and means adjustable to limitluvariably such relative movement of the levers.

la-Ina machine of the class described; a

plurality f of grippers for "pulling an Upper over-alast, means comprisingseparate lever-s and springs for operating V the difie'rent respective grippers with 'controllably different forces to pull the: upper with provision for relative movement between the different lev-' I ers in the upper pulling operation in response to differences in resistance of different por- 7 ti onsloftheupper to the force of the pull, and means} for limiting such relative 'movement of the lever'sland for thereby rendering th'e operating force-applied to one lever effective also on the other lever; Q s r j 4-1. In a machine of theclass described, a pair of grippersfor pulling an upper at the .to pull the ,upperheightwise of. the last, said grippers'gbeing' so connected together as to permitthemtomove relatively to each other in theldirection of thefheightwise pull on the c same sideof a'last, and 'means forloperating f said grippers independently of each other upper but to prevent relative movement bedirection of said pull/ l 42. Inamachine of the class described a tween them in directions transverse to the pair of grippers for pullingan upper ,at the same sideiof'fa lastyme'ans' for operating-said grippers independently 0fv each other' to pull the; upper heightwise of the last, and a tongue-and-groove connection between 7 said grippers constructed and arranged to permit of said pull.

" 43. In a machine of the class described, a

' pair of grippersfor pulling an upper at the v w 'same side of a last, means comprising separate levers for operat ng the different respective grippers to pull the upper heightwise of the last, and a connection between-said grippers constructed to permit relative movement between them in the direction of the heightwise pull on the upper while preventing relative movement between them in direc-' tions transverse to the direction of said p ull.- 44:. In a machine of the classdescribed; 'palr of ad acent side grippers mounted for independent movements heightwise of a last bothin pulling an upper and in returning to starting position and connected together to move as a unit lengthwise of the last, means arranged to operate on said grippers in response toftheir return movements heightwise-of the last to centralize them inrespe'ct to movement lengthwiseof the last,'and additional means for limiting the return movement of each gripper heightwise of the last independently ofthe return movement of the other grippen I I 45; In a machine oftheclass/described, a pair of adjacent side grippers mounted'for independent movements heightwise of 'a last both in pulling an upper and in returning to starting position and connected together to move as a unit lengthwise of the last,'wedging means arranged to act on either gripper independently in response to its returnmovemen-t heightwise of the last to impart to both grippers return movement lengthwise'of the last, and means for limiting the return movement of each gripper heightwise of the last independently of the corresponding movement of the other gripper to prevent an 6X- cess movement of the grippers lengthwise of a the last by the action of the wedging means.

46. In a machine ofthe class described a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over alast respectively in different locations at each side of the last, means for operating saidgrippers independently of'one another in respect to the forces applied in pulling the upper with provision for relative movement heightwise of the last between the different grippers at each side in the iipper piilling operation, and a manuallyoperated member connected to the difierent. grippers "at one side for moving them'relatively to the grip pers at the otherside. in a direction heightwise of the last while the upperis held under tension; 7 i I i {17. 'In a machine oflth classrdescribed a plurality of grippers for P g an u per over a last respectively in different locations ateach sidefof the last, means'for operating said grippersindependently of one another in respect to the forces applied in pulling the upper with provision for relative movement heightwise of the last between the different grippers at each side in the upper-pulling operation, a rocking connection between the different grippers at each side ofthe last constructed to'permit such relative movement between them, and a manually operated member at each side of the machine arranged to act through said rocking connection to movethe different grippers at'that side relatively to the grippers at theother side in a direction heightwise of the last while the upper is held under tension.

4L8. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively inidilferent locations at each side of the last,-means for operating said grippers independently of one another.- in respect to the forces applied in pulling the .upper with. provision for relative movement between the grippers at the opposite sldes and between the difi'erent grippersat each side in the direction oftheir pull in the upper-pulling operation, and a manually operatedmember at eachsi-de of the machine arranged to move the different grippers at that side relatively to the grippers at the other side either in the direction of their pull or in each side in the directionpftheir pull on the upper in the upper-pulling operation, and a manually operated member connected to the different updraw levers at one side for V moving them relatively tot-he levers at the other side while the upper is held under tension,

, 50. In a machine of the class described, a

over a last respectively indifi'erent locations at each side of the last, means comprising separate updraw levers for operating the different respective grippers with provision for relative movement between the diiferent levers at each side in the upper-pulling operation, and amanually operated member at 'each side of the machine connected to the different updraw leversat that side for moving them relatively tothe levers at the other side either in the direction off'their pull or in th Opposite direction. V

' 51'. In a machine ofthe class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling annpper over a'last respectively in different locations at eachside of the last, means comprising "plurality of grippers'for pulling an upper 1 separate updraw levers for operating the diff ferent respective grippers with provision for relative movementbetween the levers at the different levers at each side constructed to permit the relative movements of the difier ent levers, and a manually operated member at each side of the machine arranged to act through saidequalizing connections to move vers at the-otherside either in the" direction l of their pull orin the opposite direction.

52. In a-machineof thecl'ass described, a I plurality of grippersfor pulling an upper over a last respectively in dilferent locations at the same side of the last, means for'operating said grippers independently of each other in respect to the forces applied in pulling the upper, and means for rendering one of said grippers inoperative to grip and pull the upper throughout the operation of the machinewithout preventing the npper-pulL' .ing operation of the other gripper. I

53. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively indifferent locations at the same side of the last, means comprising separate. updraw levers for operating the.

' different. respective'grippers, and meansfo'r mains normally operative. I

rendering one of said grippers inoperative to pull the uppe rfduring'the movement of its updraw lever while the other gripper re- 54. In a machine ofthe class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper over a last respectively in difi'erentlocations' at the same sideof the last, each of said grippers comprising jaws relatively movable to grip the upper, means comprising separate updraw levers for operating the different respective grippers to cause-their to grip and to pull the upper,and a device adjustable to, prevent the closing of the jaws of one of said grippers during the movement of its updraw lever while the other gripperis' operated to pull the upper.

55. In a machine of the class described, a plurality of grippers for pulling an upper "over a last respectively in different locations at the sameside of the last, each ofsaid grip- 1 pers comprising a gripper casing having jaws thereon relatively movable to grip the upper,

means foroperating said grippers indepen'di ently of each other in respect to the forcesapplied in pulling the upper, and means mountinoperative to grip the'upper throughout the operation of the machine without prevented'on the outer side of one of said gripper casings for rendering the jaws of thatfgripper ing the upper-pulling operation of the othe grlpper. 7

56. In a machine of the classdescribed, a

jaws and a'grip'per'bar movable to close-said ja ws and tooperatesthem pull'thelupper, i I

separate @u pdraw' levers connected respective. ly tothe:difieren't gripper bars, and means ior rend'ering the' gripper bar of one "o fsaid grippers inoperative {to close the' jaws. during the movement'of said bar without preventing guppen I [u v 5?. a machineef .the class describedg'ga slur. tfgrippers for pulling an upper,

Y last respectively in 'difi'erent locations the sameside 'ofthedast', each-of sa d grlppers fcomprising a pair of'relatlvely movable alatch movable tof trip'said'jaws ter' the pull to cause 1 them to release thev upper, and means for maintaining the latch at-he: upperpullingq operation ofthe other; the levers, at that side relatively to the-'leofone of saidgrippers in tripping position I during the operation ofythe machine to pre-f vent'that gripper from gripping and pulling the. upper duringthe jupper-pulling opera-.;

tion of the other gripper.

58. In amachine of the, class described,- a plurality .of grippers forjpulling an upper overa lastlrespectively in difi'erent locations at the same side ofthe'last,eacl of said grippers comprising a pair of relat vely movable jaws, a gripper bar, a closingslide'and va latch slide ltolclose and operate the jaws by the movement of said bar, and means for main-,. taining the latch ofione of the grippers in position to. disconnect said bar from the dos 'ing slide to prevent the gripping and pulling, I i not the upperby that gripper during the upper-pulling operation of the other gripper.

59. In a machine of-theclass descr1bed,a gripper for pulling an upper over alas't, sa d gripper comprising a pair of relatively movable] jaws and mechanism including alatch for operating said jaws'to grip and pullthe upper, and meansfor maintaining said latch upper by said jaws throughout the operation of the machinew j 60. Inmachine ofthe class'described, a.

gripper forpnlling an. upperovera last, said grro aercomorisin a )air of relativel movr l g "for connecting the gripperbar to the closing in'iposition to prevent the grippingfof the ating and thereby to prevent the gripping of the upper bv the'jawsduring the operation' of themachine.

' 61-. In a machine ofthe class described, a gripper for pulling an upper over a last,said gripper comprising a pair of relatlvely movable aws, gripper bar, a closing slide, and 1:

"connecting the gripper bar to the closing slide alatch for 'cdnnecting. the gripper bar to the closing slide to close and'operate the aws by movement of said bar, and means for maintaining said latch in inoperative position to disconnect the bar from the closing slide throughout the operation of the machine.

62. In amachine of the class described, a gripper for pulling an upper over a last, said grippercompnsinga gripper casing, a pair of relatively movable jaws on said casing, a gripper bar, a closing slide, and a latch for I toclose and operate the jaws by movement of 1 said bar and a device on the exterior of the gripper casing for locking said latch in inoperative position to prevent the bar from r "operating the closing slide throughoutthe operation of the machine.

In testimony whereof I have signed my nameto' this specification.

WILLIAM THOMAS BUCKINGHAM ROBERTS. 

